49 stadiums in 44 cities are on the list of potential World Cup host cities released today by the 2026 United Bid Committee. The U.S. will host 60 of the 80 games, so it is no surprise that American cities and stadia dominate the list with 44 cities and 49 facilities appearing on this initial list.

Canada has submitted nine stadiums from seven municipalities while Mexico has proposed just three stadiums from three cities

Although FIFA rules stipulate that stadiums must hold at least 40,000 to host group stage matches and 80,000 to be considered for the World Cup opener or final, several stadiums fall short of the 40,000 threshold.

This will be the first World Cup to field 48 nations, up from 32, so there may well be some less attractive games, making the smaller capacity stadiums attractive, making a FIFA exception or rule change possible.

Below is the full list of potential World Cup host cities and stadia.

Proposed stadiums and metropolitan markets for further consideration

Metropolitan Market – Stadium – Capacity

United States (34 cities, 37 stadiums)

Atlanta, GA
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – 75,000

Baltimore, MD
M&T Bank Stadium – 71,008

Birmingham, AL
Legion Field – 71,594

Boston, MA (Foxborough, MA)
Gillette Stadium – 65,892

Charlotte, NC
Bank of America Stadium – 75,400

Chicago, IL
Soldier Field – 61,500

Cincinnati, OH
Paul Brown Stadium – 65,515

Cleveland, OH
FirstEnergy Stadium – 68,710

Dallas, TX
Cotton Bowl – 92,100

Dallas, TX (Arlington, TX)
AT&T Stadium – 105,000

Denver, CO
Sports Authority Field at Mile High – 76,125

Detroit, MI
Ford Field – 65,000

Green Bay, WI
Lambeau Field – 81,441

Houston, TX
NRG Stadium – 71,500

Indianapolis, IN
Lucas Oil Stadium – 65,700

Jacksonville, FL
EverBank Field – 64,000

Kansas City, MO
Arrowhead Stadium – 76,416

Las Vegas, NV
Raiders Stadium – 72,000

Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – 78,500

Los Angeles, CA (Inglewood, CA)
LA Stadium at Hollywood Park – TBD

Los Angeles, CA (Pasadena, CA)
Rose Bowl – 87,527

Miami, FL
Hard Rock Stadium – 65,767

Minneapolis, MN
U.S. Bank Stadium – 63,000

Nashville, TN
Nissan Stadium – 69,143

New Orleans, LA
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – 72,000

New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford, NJ)
MetLife Stadium – 82,500

Orlando, FL
Camping World Stadium – 65,000

Philadelphia, PA
Lincoln Financial Field -69,328

Phoenix, AZ (Glendale, AZ)
University of Phoenix Stadium – 73,000

Pittsburgh, PA
Heinz Field – 68,400

Salt Lake City, UT
Rice-Eccles Stadium – 45,807

San Antonio, TX
Alamodome – 72,000

San Diego, CA
Qualcomm Stadium – 71,500

San Francisco/San Jose, CA (Santa Clara, CA)
Levi’s Stadium – 75,000

Seattle, WA
CenturyLink Field – 69,000

Tampa, FL
Raymond James Stadium – 73,309

Washington, DC (Landover, MD)
FedEx Field – 82,000

Canada (7 cities, 9 stadiums)

Calgary, Alberta
McMahon Stadium – 35,650

Edmonton, Alberta
Commonwealth Stadium – 56,335

Montréal, Québec
Stade Olympique – 61,004

Montréal, Québec
Stade Saputo – 20,801

Ottawa, Ontario
TD Place Stadium – 24,341

Regina, Saskatchewan
Mosaic Stadium – 30,048

Toronto, Ontario
Rogers Centre – 53,506

Toronto, Ontario
BMO Field – 28,026

Vancouver, British Columbia
BC Place – 55,165

Mexico (3 cities, 3 stadiums)

Guadalajara, Jalisco
Estadio Chivas – 45,364

Mexico City
Estadio Azteca – 87,000

Monterrey, Nuevo León
Estadio Rayados – 52,237

About Peter Nolan

Peter Nolan is a staff writer for the GotSoccer Magazine, covering MLS and other US leagues, He's GotSoccer's chief National Team Correspondent.